Which statement describes why earls could potentially overthrow the king?

Which statement describes why earls could potentially overthrow the king?

• A. They held significant land and armed followers
• B. The king controlled all churches
• C. The king's army was untrained
• D. The earls were loyal always

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that powerful nobles could challenge the king because they controlled land and armed followers. In Anglo-Saxon and early Norman England, earls held large estates that generated wealth and authority across their regions. This land gave them the resources to fund and sustain military forces, while their ability to muster armed followers—retainers, local troops, and loyal Thegns—gave them the means to move against the king when interests or loyalties shifted. Because the king depended on these earls to govern provinces, collect taxes, and provide military support, the earls’ combined wealth and private armies made rebellion feasible if the king proved weak, unpopular, or hostile to their interests. The other statements don’t capture what actually enables revolts: control of land and a ready force to back a move is the practical engine behind potential overthrows.

The key idea is that powerful nobles could challenge the king because they controlled land and armed followers. In Anglo-Saxon and early Norman England, earls held large estates that generated wealth and authority across their regions. This land gave them the resources to fund and sustain military forces, while their ability to muster armed followers—retainers, local troops, and loyal Thegns—gave them the means to move against the king when interests or loyalties shifted.

Because the king depended on these earls to govern provinces, collect taxes, and provide military support, the earls’ combined wealth and private armies made rebellion feasible if the king proved weak, unpopular, or hostile to their interests. The other statements don’t capture what actually enables revolts: control of land and a ready force to back a move is the practical engine behind potential overthrows.